Happy Thursday Hidden Gem Travel community! Starting this week, I’m adding a new section to this newsletter to share timely and relevant information with my many clients, readers, and followers. You’ll see it when you scroll down.
Believe it or not, we’re heading full steam into the holiday season with long to-do lists and bursting calendars. I don’t know about you, but come January 2nd, I’m ready for time to decompress and not feeling compelled to check items off a personal punch list. While January isn’t an ideal time for me to get away (it’s a very busy month for the travel business), I will share where my go-to place is when I can take time for R&R. I was there last in early September and can’t wait to return.
When you’re thinking about your 2024 travel plans, Bermuda may be the perfect place for you to take a breath and relax like it is for me. Read on for the scoop including how I will add value to your Bermudian getaway…
Why I Love Bermuda (and you will too)
There are many reasons that I love Bermuda for a quick but elevated R&R escape. Here’s my list of why I love Bermuda:
- It’s a quick plane ride (under 2 hours nonstop) from NYC. It’s only 600 nautical miles from the US East Coast. Another location note – it’s not in the Caribbean.
- British influence, culture, and vibe (think Bermuda shorts and knee socks)
- Stunning beaches (including pink sand) and clear turquoise water.
- Friendly locals (even the taxi drivers are full of helpful info)
- Fantastic, diverse choices for dining and drinks (one of my favorite dinners had Austrian influences and wines reminding me of my time in Vienna).
- Sports paradise — golf, sailing/boating, biking, cricket, tennis, and more.
- Plenty of culture, culinary, art, and history packed in 21 square miles divided into three regions.
- Weather – due to the Gulf Stream and the Bermuda-Azores High, Bermuda has pleasant weather all year round with temperatures typically ranging from mid-60s in the winter and mid-80s in the summer. It’s 75 degrees today in early November.
💎Hidden Gem Tip: There are many special events in Bermuda year-long. If you love golf, cricket, sailing, yachting, seafood/restaurant weeks, art, Christmas, diving, running, fishing, harbor festivals, and more, you’ll find an event worth traveling for.
The Best Resort for You
I’ve stayed at multiple resorts in Bermuda, but this year was my first trip back after the pandemic. Some resorts are still closed either for renovation or repurposing, but there are some lovely options dotted around the island.
On this trip, I stayed at Virtuoso network’s Hamilton Princess (a Fairmont hotel in the traditional pink style) which has an unbeatable, central location within short walking distance to town situated on a gorgeous marina with views of yachts and sailboats; there’s a shuttle to a private beach club in a protected cove.
The resort is family and couple-friendly and has many Instagrammable spots on the property (including a pink British-style phone booth) for those who love to share their travel experiences through photos. For the holiday season, the Hamilton Princess has festive activities planned throughout December. When booking through Virtuoso, there are valuable perks for Hidden Gem Travel clients (email me for the list), and since I have a relationship with the management, we’ll earmark the best room for your needs.
For the benefit of clients, I visited other resorts across Bermuda’s three main areas and can now confidently match you to the right property which isn’t easily determined through an internet search or booking. There are real pros and cons to be considered. As an alternative to resorts, you might opt for a villa, and I can help you with the quality and location of those options too. My insider scoop is yours 😊
💎Hidden Gem Tip: The modern art at the Hamilton Princess is amazing! As you wander the main rooms and hallways of the hotel, you’ll see Warhol, Kusama, KAWS, Picasso, Matisse, Magritte, Lichtenstein, and many more. The collection is that of the hotel owners, and you can take a tour with a curator that’s offered once per week. I have contact information for anyone who’d like a deep dive into the hotel’s and Bermuda’s art scene.
NEW Section: Travel News You Can Use
💎 Hidden Gem Tip: BOOKING HOTELS
Do you appreciate extra, VIP amenities like a room upgrade, including breakfast, resort/hotel credits, and similar perks? If you haven’t yet noticed, I have a list of premium hotel chains where Hidden Gem clients get incredible perks; you can find it right under my signature in every newsletter. If you book a premium hotel online where I have a relationship, you will leave money on the table so check with me first.
Some of the chains, like Accor’s STEP program, Hilton Impressario, and Marriott, have recognizable brands underneath them so it’s wise to check with me to see if I have ‘preferred partner’ benefits with your hotel of interest. For example, Accor has the Fairmont brand under its banner.
See below for a selection of my hotel preferred partner affiliations…
Wishing you unforgettable travel adventures,
Susan
Follow my Facebook/Instagram pages this week for more travel inspiration: www.facebook.com/hiddengemtravelconsulting or Instagram: www.instagram.com/hidden.gem.travel
Make your own Wanderlist for 2024! As a reminder, Wanderlist is an online portal where you can research, explore, and create shareable lists of destinations and experiences. Share your list with me so I can make it happen for you. Check it out here: https://bit.ly/wanderlisthgtc
